Grays Convent pupils raise over £2800 for charity by fasting for 24 hours

YEAR 11 girls at Grays Convent High School have raised over £2800 for charity by fasting for 24 hours. From 8.30am on Friday 9th December to 8.30am on Saturday morning, pupils only drank tap water and abstained from food.

Of the money raised, over £1600 will be donated to CAFOD’s emergency relief fund, which is currently providing desperately-needed support in Yemen, Haiti and in response to the Refugee Crisis. Whilst the pupils abstained from food by choice in a carefully-managed exercise, for those in emergency situations there is often no option but to go hungry. Through fasting, Y11 have raised money that will allow CAFOD to distribute essential items to those in dire need, including food. The remaining £1200 will pay for the schooling of four secondary school pupils at Gray’s twin school in Dar es Saalam, Tanzania.

To support the students with their fast, teachers supervised school break times and pupils had a sleep over at school. After the school day was complete there was a fun-filled evening for the students; a bin bag fashion show, a film viewing, a ghost tour and to round off the evening, a general knowledge quiz.

The fast has become a tradition for Year 11 pupils. The first 24 hour fast at the school took place in 2008, then again in 2012 and since 2014 the opportunity has been offered to every Year 11 group. It has become an important way of building community spirit within the year group, enabling pupils to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment upon completing the fast.

Miss Coughlan, Head of KS4 & Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator, who runs the event said:

“Congratulations to all the year 11s that took part. The grand total raised was in excess of £2,800 and there is still money to be counted. Everyone should be proud of their achievements as this is the biggest amount raised for the 24 hour fast in the school so far.”